When detergent-derived photosystem II (PSII) membranes are treated with CaCl2 to remove the three extrinsic proteins associated with the O2-evolving complex, the resulting membranes (CaPSII) can still catalyze water oxidation if sufficient Ca(2+) and Cl(-) are present. When CaPSII membranes are exposed to single turnover flashes on an O2 rate electrode, anomalous O2 is produced by the first two flashes. The addition of catalase to the membrane suspension completely inhibits O2 produced by the first two flashes, but not by subsequent flashes. Exogenous H2O2 stimulates anomalous O2 production by the first few flashes in CaPSII membranes, but not in control PSII membranes. Diuron (DCMU) does not inhibit H2O2-stimulated O2 production by the first flash. However, it does inhibit the O2 yield of all subsequent flashes, indicating that all flash-induced O2 signals in CaPSII membranes are dependent on photosystem II electron transport. H2O2 stimulation of O2 yields is inhibited in Tris-, heat-, and EDTA-(ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)-treated CaPSII. In the presence of high salt, H2O2 (but not EDTA) treatment of CaPSII, extracts Mn functional in normal photosynthetic O2 evolution. The addition of exogenous Mn(2+) reconstitutes anomalous O2 production in Tris-and H2O2/EDTA-treated CaPSII preparations but only in the presence of H2O2. Anomalous H2O2-stimulated O2 production can be observed both with a Clark electrode (steady state) and an O2 rate electrode (flash sequence). The mechanism involves electron donation from H2O2, mediated by free Mn(2+), to PSII, and the 33-kDa extrinsic protein under some conditions can block this process. Since H2O2 can remove functional Mn from CaPSII membranes, its presence can convert functional Mn to the Mn(2+) mediator state required for anomalous O2 production. EDTA binds Mn in CaPSII disrupted by H2O2 and prevents anomalous O2 evolution.